Happy New Year!

Today is Our (new) Day #1 as I begin officially as President. It is also Day #185, counting from when we began our work together last July 1. And as we continue down the path we have started, I am so hopeful for what we can accomplish together based what we have done already.

In my December presentations at the semiannual meeting of the Board of Trustees and at the General Faculty meeting, I described a vision for OurUD that emerged from our all of our fall conversations and town halls. I thought it would be a nice way to start the year by sharing the underlying principles that will offer an initial framework for our new strategic plan:

• Inquire with Impact
• Create with Connection
• Innovate with Intention
• Grow with Purpose
• Welcome with Promise
• Educate with Outcomes
• Work with Trust
• Belong with Joy
• Stand with Pride

I welcome your thoughts and comments on what these principles mean to you using this submission form. There is also a place to indicate whether you are interested in serving on a task force for a particular principle or drafting revised mission and vision statements for consideration by our community. It will be essential to have many different voices representing many different experiences across students, faculty, staff and alumni in this important work.

Here's the latest from around the Beat:

One of my New Year’s goals is to embrace a winter mindset, inspired by the Norwegian term “friluftsliv” that translates to "free-air life.” This term encourages connecting with nature and spending time outdoors, especially in the winter. You will know that I have kept this resolution if you find me at White Clay with my cross-country skis whenever there is snow on the ground.

I am grateful to the 64 faculty members who are leading more than 900 students in 49 study-abroad programs over Winter Session. What an incredible gift to our students to travel someplace new, where they learn not only about the people and culture at the destination but, just as importantly, about themselves. Recently, a faculty committee reviewed UD’s policies and practices associated with study-abroad programs and surveyed faculty about their experiences. We will be following up on that important work to make sure that study abroad remains an incredible experience for every faculty member or student who wants to participate. Please reach out to Interim Provost Bill Farquhar if you have questions or suggestions.

Please see below for upcoming dates for spring community gatherings. All are welcome.

• Campus walks will commence at noon from Mentors’ Circle on these dates: Jan. 29, Feb. 26, March 19, April 23 and May 28. Cancellations or other changes will be noted on the President’s page.
• We are happy to host the next Craft Circle at the President’s House from 7–8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3.
• Prez Runs will resume Jan. 15 and weekly thereafter, beginning at 7 a.m. Thursdays from Mentors’ Circle, rain or shine. All students, staff, faculty and community members are welcome. First-timers earn a sticker; regular runners (3+ times) earn a pin. Check out the design on the President’s page.

Yours in UD,